Breaksea helicopter tours to take off

Public helicopter tours out to heritage-listed Breaksea Island and along Albany's coastline are set to start operating this week.

Skyhook Helicopters, which has a head office in New South Wales, will begin the tours led by pilot and Albany base manager Rainor Marshall in his Eurocopter Squirrel.

The tours are expected to be based at Whale World, Discovery Bay, but that is yet to be confirmed.

Department of Parks and Wildlife granted a licence for Skyhook Helicopters to land on the island. Environment Minister Albert Jacob said Breaksea Island said there was increased demand for cultural, adventure and ecotourism experiences on the south coast and Breaksea Island fit the bill.

"Until now, viewing of its impressive wildlife and rugged coastline has been limited because it is difficult to access safely by boat," he said.

"Helicopter tours will allow visitors to get a bird's-eye view of the area before landing on the island for access to the heritage-listed lighthouse and keepers' cottages."

Albany resident Mr Marshall, who has been a pilot for 19 years, said they would offer a range of tours along the coast.

He said the Breaksea Island Explorer included a 20-minute flight incorporating views of Torndirrup National Park, The Gap, Natural Bridge and Bald Head, landing on Breaksea Island.

Mr Marshall said he would lead passengers on a ground tour, explaining the history of the island - "lighthouse girl" Faye Howe signaled to departing WWI fleet in Morse code, the last human contact many soldiers had with Australia.

Other tours include a West Cape Howe wine and dine and the Great Southern Adventure, which would visit sites such as Gull Rock, Emu Point, Frenchman Bay, West Cape Howe and Two Peoples Bay.

Long-term Mr Marshall said he would take people out to stay in accommodation on the island which offered a "unique" experience.